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'''John Morton''' (b. 1724; d. April 1, 1777) is a founding father of [[America]], had an extensive legal career as a Justice, presided in the [[Stamp Act]] Congress, Chairman of the committee which reported the [[Articles of Confederation]], <ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/morton.htm John Morton, UShistory.org</ref> and signed the [[Declaration of Independence]]. Noted for his  intelligence and hard work.

'''John Morton''' (1724 – April 1, 1777) is a founding father of [[America]], had an extensive legal career as a Justice, presided in the [[Stamp Act]] Congress, Chairman of the committee which reported the [[Articles of Confederation]],<ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/morton.htm John Morton, UShistory.org]</ref> and signed the [[Declaration of Independence]]. Noted for his  intelligence and hard work.

==Early Life==

==Early life==

John was born in Ridley, Chester County [[Pennsylvania]], now called Delaware County. He was the great-grandson of [[Swedish]] immigrants. At a young age, John's father died and he was raised by his [[English]] stepfather John Sketchley. John Morton was raised a farm boy and started out in surveying. In 1748 he married Ann Justis and they had eight children.

John was born in Ridley, Chester County [[Pennsylvania]], now called Delaware County. He was the great-grandson of [[Swedish]] immigrants. At a young age, John's father died and he was raised by his [[English]] stepfather John Sketchley. John Morton was raised a farm boy and started out in surveying. In 1748 he married Ann Justis and they had eight children.

Before signing, his sympathies were with the British. When he changed his mind for independence his friends, relatives, neighbors turned against him and it affected his health. Just eight short months after signing the Declaration he was dead. His last spoken words on his deathbed were, ''"Tell them they will live to see the hour when they shall acknowledge my signing of the Declaration of Independence to have been the most glorious service that I ever rendered my country."''  

Before signing, his sympathies were with the British. When he changed his mind for independence his friends, relatives, neighbors turned against him and it affected his health. Just eight short months after signing the Declaration he was dead. His last spoken words on his deathbed were, ''"Tell them they will live to see the hour when they shall acknowledge my signing of the Declaration of Independence to have been the most glorious service that I ever rendered my country."''  

John Morton was the first of the Signers to die. <ref>[http://johnmorton.net/ John Morton, johnmorton.net]</ref>

John Morton was the first of the Signers to die.<ref>[http://johnmorton.net/ John Morton, johnmorton.net]</ref>

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

{{Template:Declaration of Independence}}

{{Declaration of Independence}}

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[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]